Jorge Nicola is one of the most trustworthy reporters in Brazilian football, therefore his word is highly respected when it comes to rumors that the much-maligned winger for Manchester United may be leaving the team and returning to South America in the new year.

The Mirror claims that United is willing to loan Antony to Flamengo while Gabriel Barbosa goes the opposite way.

Even though Nicola has reached out to Antony’s agency for a response, he quickly refutes such charges in a video posted on his own YouTube channel.

An Antony exchange deal is being connected to Manchester United.

Nicola says, “I thought the (reports of a swap) were very strange in every way.”

First of all, Antony is only 23 years old, whereas Gabigol is 27. Secondly, given that Antony was acquired for 100 million euros and Gabigol is only worth 20 million euros. entirely distinct numbers.

Gabriel Barbosa, once of Inter Milan and Benfica and a 2020 target for West Ham, isn’t exactly living up to his moniker “Gabigol” at the moment.

With just five gоals in 23 Brazilian Serie A games this seasоn, the striker’s perfоrmance dоesn’t exactly pоint tо him as the answer tо Manchester United’s оffensive prоblems.

The fact that Gabigol struggles to score goals is the sole similarity. Nicola continues, “Antony has gone 11 games without a goal since the start of the season.

If I were a Flamengo supporter, I wouldn’t believe this narrative. My money wouldn’t be on that. Even while Manchester United does require a striker to score goals, it doesn’t appear to make sense.

As United ended a string of consecutive 3-0 losses on Saturday, Bruno Fernandes scored a “captain’s goal” away at Fulham, ending Antony’s ineffectiveness once more.